Page 21 of Mafia Rules

Her back straightens, and her lips move as if she is going to talk, but there’s only silence between us; then she finally says something.

“I looked at your phone.” Her head hangs low, her gaze on the floor. Her voice shakes as if she’s on the verge of tears.

“What did—” I start, but she interrupts me.

“Who is Sasha?” she blurts out.

I kneel in front of her. “She’s no one you need to worry about.” My hand covers hers, but she shakes it off. “She’s an ex.”

“How long ago?”

“Three years. She started texting me about two weeks ago.” I pull out my phone, find Sasha’s texts, scroll up to her first contact, and hand the phone to Eve. “I’ve never responded. And my phone is always available to you.”

She doesn’t take the phone right away, so I place it in front of her and stand up. “I’ll be in my office when you’re ready to talk.”

I walk back to my office and sit at my desk, where Eve is out of my view. My heart pounds, afraid of what she would find on my phone. Nothing after her, but I’ve not exactly been the boy next door. The feeling of unease is one I’m not used to.

Eve steps into my office with my phone in her hand. She hands it to me; the screen is black. I go into my settings, change my password to her cell number, and show her the screen. “My phone is always available to you.”

“You barely know me.”

I nod my head in agreement, acknowledging that she is correct. It's strange, but it feels like I've had a connection with her for years. I understand her emotions, what she’s thinking, how she likes to be pleasured. “Eve, yes, it has only been a minute, and yes, we are opposites, there’s no denying that. You calm me. And I think I could be a good influence on you.”

I sounded political. I may struggle with words, but our connection speaks volumes, and I can sense that she feels it too. She fits perfectly against my body, like she was meant to be there.

“In time, maybe.”

“Ash, I’ve enjoyed these past few days, but I don’t expect you to give it all up for me,” she says, but her eyes betray her. “I don’t have the right—”

“But youdohave the right,” I interrupt her. I didn’t play games. I want her, and she wants me. Her eyes beg for it.

“But I don’t.” Confusion crosses her face.Is she testing me?

“I don’t want to see anyone but you.” I put my hands in my pockets; otherwise, I would pull her close to me again. I hate being so close but not close enough to her. “What do you want, Eve?”

Her mouth hangs slightly ajar, yet no words escape her lips. Maybe she didn’t feel what I did. But surely…

“I want you too,” she mutters.

13

EVE

Ash had his meetingalone,and I had training with Stella.He returned and went straight to his office, closing the door for at least an hour. I didn’t dare ask if he needed anything, He had warned me I shouldn’t know anything about this mysterious client. However, I heard several things crash to the floor; something even hit the door. The rest of the day passes quickly.

“Eve.” Ash swings his office door open. His jacket is off, his tie is loose, and the top few buttons of his white shirt are undone, showing his tattoos.

“Yes, sir—Ash.” I stand up, knock my stapler, sending it to the floor. I wait for my instructions.

“I’m driving you home. No Uber.” He nods.

“My home?” I point to my chest, thinking of Ash standing in Macy’s one-bedroom apartment next to my bed on the couch.

“Yeah. Be ready to leave in five.” He closes his office door before I can object.

This was happening. I grab my phone and call Macy, but she doesn’t answer. The couch is probably still covered in my blankets. Oh, gosh… he was a rich man, used to lavish surroundings. He would be disgusted with me if he knew.

“Ready?” He comes out, this time in his jacket, ready to leave.

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